London Fashion Week 2019: Events for the public including runway shows, jewellery worshops and pop-up stores

London Fashion Week returns this week to showcase some of the most creative and innovative fashion designers in the world and ignite a city-wide celebration of the creative industries. 

On September 13th, international press, buyers, and influencers will descend on the capital for the bi-annual four-day fashion frenzy known as London Fashion Week.

And whilst the shows themselves are reserved for industry insiders, you don’t have to be a fashion editor to get a taste of the action.

Over the course of the next week, London is set to sizzle with a host of fabulous fashion events, and many of them are open to the public. Hell, most of them are free!

So don your sassiest get-up and get out there – fashion never sleeps, people. 

Here are all the ways to get involved:

Sit on the FROW at London Fashion Week

Want to rub shoulders with the fashion elite? You can now officially sit on the FROW at London Fashion Week, as the British Fashion Council have announced that two of London's finest homegrown brands, House of Holland and Self-Portrait, will stage public shows during LFW, where they will showcase their Autumn/ Winter 2019 collections during three different timeslots throughout the day.

Self-Portrait is known for its dainty and feminine designs, which have been worn by the likes of Michelle Obama and Meghan Markle, while House of Holland is known for its exuberant showcases and designs, with models such as Winnie Harlow, Cara Delevingne and Agyness Deyn amongst the famous faces who have walked for the brand. 

Both standard and VIP tickets can be bought here.

UNIQLO - The Art and Science of LifeWear: New Form Follows Function

 

For the first time, Japanese retailer UNIQLO is set to host an exhibition during London Fashion Week, which will showcase LifeWear from three perspectives, Art, Science and Craftsmanship in London. The brand has also partnered with NTS Radio, and the pieces from this collaboration will be available to buy at the pop-up store which will also be held at Somerset House, along with the exhibition. 

If you're more of a night owl though, don't panic, as NTS is hosting two special late-night events on Thursday 19th and Friday 20th September, which are open to the public.

This event is free to the public and is being held at Somerset House. 

The Anya Hindmarch Postbox Maze

The fashion designer responsible for previous London Fashion Week installations, including a giant bean bag and Chubby Hearts, is back, this time having designed a post-box-inspired maze. To celebrate the launch of Hindmarch's new Postbox Collection of accessories, the exhibition will last four days over Fashion Week and its design was inspired by the patterns found in M.C. Escher's Metamorphosis III mural, which was installed in the Hague Post Office 50 years ago. Calligraphy workshops will also be on offer. 

The Anya Hindmarch Postbox Maze is at Brewer Street Car Park from 13th- 16th September. Tickets are £12.50 and can be bought in advance here. 

Browns East x Peggy Gou 

Adwoa Aboah takes to the catwalk at London Fashion Week in support of Grenfell survivors

Adwoa Aboah said she remains “heartbroken” by the Grenfell tragedy as she joined survivors on the catwalk ahead of London Fashion Week. 

The supermodel joined singer Emeli Sandé and DJ Becky Tong to support for the Justice4Grenfell campaign. They donned T-shirts emblazoned with the message “72 dead and still no arrests? How come?” at 180 The Strand.

Aboah, who was born and raised in west London, said she “didn’t have to think  

Faisal Metals, who runs Grenfell Speaks, said: “We created the T-shirts as a way to remember the 72 who died and bring it back to why, as a community, we do what we do in terms of campaigning and social justice. It’s amazing to have backing from such famous people.”

Nabil Choucair, who lived on the 27th floor of the tower and lost his mother, sister, brother-in-law, and nieces in the fire, said it was a good way to bring the disaster back into the limelight. 

Entrepreneurs: Future looks bright for fashion designer Olivia Rubin

Surrounded by boxes, measuring tapes and rails full of dresses and jumpers, Olivia Rubin kicks off a loose fabric strip stuck to her Chanel sandal. The designer giggles loudly and then say: “Welcome to the organized chaos room, also known as my Ladbroke Grove studio in the run-up to London Fashion Week.”

The 37-year-old scrapes back her blonde hair into a bun and sits down for a quick break. She says she is feeling “nervous” about her eponymous label’s first time presenting during London’s five-day fashion extravaganza, which starts this Friday.

You can see why: Fashion Week is a huge opportunity to impress thousands of influential retail buyers and shoppers. Taking part is the latest in a string of landmark moments for the two-year-old clothing start-up that Rubin set up using personal savings. Last month singer Katy Perry wore an Olivia Rubin frock to celebrity Ellie Goulding’s wedding, and the brand has been getting stocked in some of the world’s most famous department stores, from Saks Fifth Avenue to Selfridges.

While she worries Brexit could delay customs checks on materials and products she has made in Europe and Asia, she says: “I don’t imagine leaving the EU will seriously hurt my firm’s ambitions.”

Her plans for expansion include a new homewares range and investments in sustainable fashion. 

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Rubin, who is wearing a £250 rainbow cardigan (one of her own creations, naturally), got the creative bug as a kid growing up in Maida Vale. Her granddad enjoyed painting in his spare time, which inspired Rubin’s creative side, while her father Daniel is the founder of the footwear firm Dune. Rubin would watch The Clothes Show every week on TV and helped organize her secondary school’s first fashion show.

She went on to study fashion print at Central Saint Martins and as part of the degree did some training schemes with Christian Dior and Alexander McQueen. After learning about stitching, pattern cutting, and designing, she did a business course and some freelance print design jobs.

In 2009 she set up a small label, designing dresses for the wholesale market. Products would be made in China, shipped here and sold online or by some High Street chains.

That lasted until 2011 when Rubin decided to close the business and take an indefinite break from the industry. She says candidly: “It was so tough. There wasn’t really much social media for small designers like me to promote their work, and I felt like half the time I was chasing up invoices.”

The entrepreneur adds: “I just felt momentum was dying around my business which was in its infancy. Maybe my personal ambition was plateauing.”

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Rubin continued to do some freelance work but largely took time away from the apparel sector to bring up her two young daughters, now three and six.

A return to fashion came in 2017. Rubin, who owns 100% of the firm, wanted to brighten up her own wardrobe and created a rainbow sequin stripe skirt. She posted pictures on Instagram and suddenly had hundreds of people asking where they could buy the product. “I realized there could be a gap in the market for mid-priced, colorful, quirky, and special pieces.”

Scores of orders were made whenever Rubin released new outfits. Then wholesale agency Polly King got in touch and helped the brand get stocked in Selfridges. Says Rubin with a grin: “That was an amazing opportunity.”

Since then Olivia Rubin ranges have sprung up in shops in the UK, US and Middle East. 

Before the end of the year, she will be selling cushions, candles and other homewares through online marketplace Etsy. Meanwhile, dresses made solely with sustainable fabrics are being worked on.

The future for Rubin and her multi-colored garments looks bright.

Simone Rocha's fantastical feminine fashion at London Fashion Week

Alexandra Palace staged the first fashion show in its storied history last night as Simone Rocha lifted the curtain on her latest collection in the iconic venue.

As the fashion press took their seats on the balcony of the recently restored Victorian theatre, which reopened last year after an 80-year closure, it soon became clear that the designer was intent on putting on a spectacle befitting its surroundings. 

Accordingly, Rocha recruited an all-star cast to model her brand of fantastical feminine fashion with the line-up featuring a host of actors from the designer’s native Ireland. 

Chernobyl star Jessie Buckley, who hails from Killarney, was among those to take a turn on the catwalk alongside fellow Irish theatre actors Olwen Fouéré and Simone Kirby. 

Jessie Buckley walks for Simone Rocha (Simone Rocha )

Ripper Street’s Charlene McKenna and Valene Kane, who appeared in BBC dramas Thirteen and The Fall, also topped the bill together with English actor Lesley Manville OBE, rising star Tia Bannon and 40-year-old supermodel Karen Elson in an inclusive showcase which sought to celebrate beauty of all ages from young women to those in their mid-60s. 

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Having made a name for herself as a master of fairytale dressing with a subversive storyline, the designer and daughter of industry stalwart John Rocha was keen to ensure her established signatures took the spotlight. For next season, that includes frothy tulle dresses decorated with periwinkle embroidery and layered over crisp white shirting along with pearl-encrusted brocade trousers and doily-lace skirts. 

Match your socks to your embroidery (Simone Rocha )

Quilted evening jackets, trench coats cascading with ruffles and wallpaper floral puffball taffeta gowns further added to the drama, as well as the idea that this was an offering designed to be as nostalgic as it was modern. 

An abundance of accessories was also indicative of a confident collection from a designer intent on building her brand up from the smallest details through to the statement-making investment pieces. 

Chandelier earrings, pearl-encrusted brogues, and crystal-studded headbands have long served as bestsellers and remain a constant for next season, alongside a series of raffia-weave handbags to tempt a new customer into the Simone Rocha fold.

Victoria Beckham Beauty is already selling out

She’s conquered the world of fashion, and now it looks as though Victoria Beckham is on her way to nailing the make-up world too.

After launching her eponymous beauty line on September 14, a day before her Victoria Beckham London Fashion Week SS20 show (read our full show report here), the brand is proving so popular that items are already selling out.

The Tuxedo eye palette and Mink lid luster both sold out within hours of being released.

Commenting on the news, Beckham told the Guardian: “The reaction has been huge, bigger than we dreamed. We had aggressive targets, and we’ve smashed them.”

The carefully curated first collection from the brand includes eyeshadow palettes called Smoky Eye Bricks, potted pigment for eyes called Lid Lustre and eyeliners called Satin Kajal Liner.

All with a view to recreating the smoky eye which Beckham’s become renowned for.

Victoria Beckham Beauty, which has the tagline “Luxury Performance, Clean Beauty”, is refusing to pigeonhole itself as just a beauty brand, instead referring to itself as a “clean beauty movement.”

After they worked together to launch Beckham's capsule make-up range with Estée Lauder in 2016, Beckham hired Lauder's former global head of make-up marketing and product development Sarah Creal as joint CEO of Victoria Beckham Beauty. 

Make-up is the first drop from the beauty range, with skincare, fragrance, and wellness expected in the coming months.

The prices of the collection range from £20 - £48 and it's available to buy here.

Bethany Williams revealed as second winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design

Even non-fashion fans took an interest in London Fashion Week when the Queen sat front row at Richard Quinn's AW18 show in February last year. 

Although Her Majesty seemed to thoroughly enjoy the experience, she wasn't just there to chinwag with Anna Wintour, instead, her debut was for a more important reason: to present the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design.

Central Saint Martins graduate Richard Quinn took home the honor and since then his career has gone from strength to strength. A collaboration with Debenhams and dressing Amal Clooney for the Met Gala are just two of the highlights. 

Bethany Williams will become the second emerging British fashion designer to be honored with the award when she makes her London Fashion Week debut on Tuesday, 19 February, having previously shown her collection at London Fashion Week Men's.

Designer Bethany Williams at the launch of the Fashion District (PA)

Bethany graduated from the London College of Fashion in 2016 with an MA in Menswear and has since been tacking social change through fashion. 

From environmental issues to women's rehabilitation, Bethany's unisex collections not only represent the change she wants to see but also help to make that change happen. 

Made out of recycled and organic materials, her one hundred percent sustainable designs are often in collaboration with different charitable organizations. Her SS19 collection, for example, highlighted waste materials from the publishing industry and saw 20 percent of the profits go directly to Mobile Library Charity.

Her AW19 showcase will focus on recycled denim and newspaper waste, which was created in collaboration with Adelaide House, a women's shelter that provides support and interventions for up to 20 women who are experiencing difficulties. 

Central Saint Martins is holding the world’s first mixed reality catwalk powered by 5G

Fashion shows are normally a spectacle, featuring luxuriant fabrics and ground-breaking designs. 

This London Fashion Week, one show will be a little different. Sure, there will be models and clothes, but the space above their heads will be animated with dramatic lightning bolts, smiling tiger heads and laughing skulls, taunting the audience.

This is because Central Saint Martins (CSM) is holding the first-ever mixed reality catwalk as part of its MA show today. Ten lucky FROW attendees will watch the show wearing Magic Leap’s One headsets and get to witness designer Gerrit Jacob’s designs come to life in more ways than one. 

Liam Gallagher’s model son, Lennon Gallagher, will be leading the show. As well, there will be screens around the catwalk, demonstrating the sights to spectators not wearing the headsets. 

Augmented reality vs mixed reality vs virtual reality 

Augmented reality: technology that superimposes a computer-generated image on a user's view of the real world 

Mixed reality: a form of augmented reality, that sits between AR and VR, using a headset, like the Magic Leap One

Virtual reality: a computer-generated simulation of a 3D image or environment that can be interacted with in a seemingly real or physical way, facilitated by a helmet with a screen inside

Jacob’s mixed reality show is powered by Three Mobile’s 5G technology, thanks to a new partnership between the telecom and the university. CSM’s Kings Cross campus is officially the UK’s first live and permanent 5G installation, and the partnership will allow students to experiment and push the limits of the technology. 

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Speaking about the partnership, Shadi Halliwell, Three Mobile CMO, told the Standard: “Fashion has such an amazing story to tell and what we’re going to be able to show is the inspiration of the collection, walking along with the clothes, and to tell the designer’s story. 

“There’s an immediate attraction to [this partnership] for us rather than 5G’ing up a shopping mall or a stadium. We can make the story of fashion much more meaningful and I think that’s what customers want.”

Creative agency Rewind worked closely with Jacob, using his designs and inspirations behind the collection in order to bring them to life in mixed reality. 

“Runway shows are a really nice example of what mixed reality could do, but it could be in shops, [or] on the streets,” Jacob tells the Standard. “All we do as designers is work on creating the context of the world around us, and to make it become a reality is, to me, an opportunity in every aspect of presenting clothes.

“I think for every designer it would be a great opportunity [to work with mixed reality].”

Designer Gerrit Jacob (L) wearing the Magic Leap Creator One headset with Lennon Gallagher (Three)

This is only the start of Three and CSM’s partnership. There’s going to be a 5G lab set up on the campus for students to use and it’s likely that further events throughout the year will be powered by the technology. 

In a way, it will also help the students push their designs like they haven’t been able to before. “If you look at shows like Chanel, Givenchy and Dior, the settings they put in place are huge builds, which cost millions of pounds. With 5G, we can create that whole environment through virtual means which is fantastic,” says Halliwell. 

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22 Instagram influencers of colour to follow for street style inspiration

iversity. This word means so much to so many different types of people and on the fashion landscape, it's been a hot topic of late with luxury brands facing major backlash (heavily on social media) for committing what many deem to be insensitive cultural actions immersed in racism, tokenism and insularity. From accusations of 'blackface' at Prada and Gucci, the former for a questionable looking keychain and the latter for a balaclava top, or tokenism accusations at Ferragamo, when one black influencer was cast in their recent global influencer 'Gancini' campaign – brands seem unaware in 2019 about the impacts of cultural insensitivity.

In the case of Ferragamo, the brand is yet to respond to a question posed by the Fashion for all Foundation on their Instagram asking if there were "no more Influencers of colour." Perhaps they just weren't aware how many incredible names there are to know about. As London Fashion Week gets going, I've pulled together a list of the most stylish and influential from the UK and beyond. 

Aleali May

Her name is Aleali May and you need to know it. A stylist, model and influencer whose style is steezy and sneaker game puts sneakerheads to shame, May is a big name in the fashion influencer realm. Last year she became the first woman ever to design both men and women's Air Jordan sneakers for Nike. She's dope – go follow, thank me later.

Asiyami Gold

Next level and visually stunning, Asiyami Gold's Instagram account is the envy and mood board favourite of every major visual storyteller on the travel and fashion landscape. She is badass and worth the tap on that follow button.

Darion Famous

Los Angeles based stylist and fashion blogger Darion Famous deserves all the stripes he has amassed as a style influencer. Consistently serving up effortless cool in every well-lit image on his Instagram, Famous has become famous amongst the 'OOTDMens' denizens and men's streetwear throng – and rightly so.

Elaine Welteroth

She is every fly girl's spirit animal (and many boy's too). The former Editor-in-Chief of Teen Vogue, judge of Project Runway, diversity activist and author of the soon to be published motivational tome More Than Enough, Elaine Welteroth is stylish and woke. And if you're into white boots, you'll love her even more.

Eva Chen

You can't talk about fashion influencers of colour and not mention the head of fashion at Instagram, the effervescent Eva Chen. A major proponent of embracing your difference, the first-generation Chinese-American and mum has a stellar style and 'shoefie' game.

Frederique Harrel

Freddie Harrel is a big-haired bodacious beauty whose style and positivity is lit. The Paris-born, London-based fashion blogger, mum and founder of Big Hair No Care - a hit ethical afro hair brand - is a must-follow for anyone with an appreciation for visual goodness with a dash of realness. She is amazing! 

Geoff K. Cooper

Moi! I wouldn't opine on my style more than to confidently (and with no hubris) state, I have it. The only reason I can write about all these incredible people credibly is that I stand with and amongst them.  Go check me out and see for yourself. Oh... this list is in alphabetical order, else I would place myself last :)

Igee Okafor

Content creator and social media consultant Igee Okafor is the New York-based Nigerian creative behind the recently launched online destination Bond Official. A regular on the New York blogging and menswear scene, and a stickler for posting amazing imagery, Okafor is certainly worth the follow.

Jiawa Liu

Best known as Beige Renegade, Jiawa Liu is an Australian fashion influencer who has created a visual aesthetic admired by many. Intermixing soft tones with minimalist style cues, she inspires a certain effortless chic. 

Jean-Claude Mpassy

Blogger, creative consultant, footballer and host hailing from Austria, Jean-Claude Mpassy is the men's style maven behind the blog New Kiss On The Blog and creative agency Constant Evolution.  With deft mixes of street with high fashion pieces, he creates and exudes high amounts of cool.

Jerome LaMaar

If you don't know this bold boy from the Bronx you might have been living under a rock. Jerome LaMaar is hands down one of the most stylish men in New York. He calls himself a 'style monk' on his Instagram profile, which is a trove of style inspiration offering colour, texture, print and standout shoes.

Johnson Gold

Founder and Editor-In-Chief of PAUSE Magazine, Johnson Gold is a regular on the men's fashion scene. Known for bold style and always donning a baseball cap (and very regularly sunglasses and an oversized coat) Gold is one of London's leading men's editors of colour and a streetwear maven. And as for his shoe game - major!

Julia Lang

I bumped into this New York-based Tanzanian-German brand consultant at Balmain last summer, thanks to street style photographer Mode Hunter. Her chic-with-a-bit-of-street style game is strong on a whole different level – one glance and you'll agree.

Kurt Dacheng

Widely known as the Bloggers' Boyfriend, Kurt Dacheng has a cool sense of style and knows how to capture and edit an image. The Australian-based men's style influencer has created a visual extravaganza on his Instagram that inspires his peers - a must-follow for both men's fashion and lifestyle content. 

Moti Ankari

Fashion Editor and Blogger, Moti Ankari, is the man behind The Metro Man and one side of the two-man team behind Ankari Floruss, a men's footwear brand from New York. A regular on the New York blogging scene, he is known for his take on everyday style and always manages to dish out eye-catching imagery on social media.

Masoom Minawala

The mastermind behind Miss Style Fiesta and now full-time fashion blogger Masoom Minawala is an Indian fashion influencer and entrepreneur who has manifested her dreams, and done so in a fabulous manner. One look at her IG and you will love the Bombay-born Belgium-based #GirlBoss who's wedding was covered by Vogue.

Matt Chu

One look at Matt Chu's Instagram and you will notice his panache for serving strikingly beautiful fashion images that exude genderless vibes.  This is because – with intention – the Taiwanese blogger is building imagery that expands the way we see men, (in particular Asian men) and is doing so successfully. I support his intention and you can too.

Patrick Mason

Patrick Mason is a creative beast out of Germany with oggle-worthy style. Artistically inclined with tastes that traverse the wildest menswear pieces, his fashion aesthetic embraces shape, colour and texture. Most certainly, Mason is certainly one of Berlin's boldest and baddest boys.

Ramario Chevoy

Dancehall choreographer/dancer and model, Ramario Chevoy's style makes major moves, turns heads and inspires intrigue. Consistently posting OOTD's for the past 4 years, this regular on the London fashion scene is one of the most vocal voices for representation of Caribbean creatives in mainstream media in the UK.

Sangiev Sriskumar

London-based French-born Sri Lankan Youtuber and vlogger, Sangiev Sriskumar is a favourite in the men's streetwear arena and with good reason. He delivers great content and his signature style, all in a highly relatable and comedic manner. 

Shiona Turini

Shinoa Turini's Instagram profile states that she is a stylist, costume designer and consultant. Quite honestly this Bermuda-born style slayer is a whole lot more and then some. Whether she's powering the style of Solange Knowles or curating looks in her most recent gig for HBO series Insecure, she is always serving looks. Take a look.

Tamu McPherson

A favourite amongst brands, media, street style photographers and the fashion set, Tamu McPherson is a longtime fashion blogger and the voice behind the online destination All The Pretty Birds. Known for her exuberant style and supercool looks, she is one of fashion's darlings and certainly worth a follow.